Hooning issue resurfaces at Wellington Point

DEPUTY mayor Wendy Boglary will lobby Redland City Council to install cameras at Wellington Point in an effort to stop hooning.

The area could also be the subject to a Transport Department vehicle inspection blitz on drivers.

MEETING: Cr Wendy Boglary and Wellington Point residents concerned about hooning in their suburb.

Cr Boglary said cameras were used effectively by Logan City Council and it was time Redlands put a policy in place on such equipment.

“What the policy will contain I do not know at this stage and whether it will be approved by councillors is another question but I told my residents the other night we must get this policy approved and they will be there in numbers for that (council) meeting to support the use of cameras,” Cr Boglary said.

Cr Boglary held a meeting with residents, police and Capalaba MP Don Brown at the point about hooning which was attended by about 120 despite bad weather.

She said complaints about hooning, a long-running issue at the point, had been escalating mainly in regard to anti-social driving and drug activities in an area ranging from the Ormiston foreshore, Old Cleveland Road East to Wellington Point Reserve.

The reserve and Main Road were hot spots, with residents being kept awake with screeching tyres.

Cr Boglary said police had been supportive, with speed cameras, a visual presence and unmarked cars but due to their numbers it was hard to police properly.

“I would like to see police numbers increased in Redlands,” she said.

Mr Brown said the government was committed to an increase of 400 police officers state-wide but he could not say how many of those would be at Redlands.

That would be up to Police Commissioner Ian Stewart according to needs, with politicians required to keep such operational details at arm’s length.

“I know cameras will be a big help, having previously handed over my camcorder evidence about point hoons which led to police prosecution,” he said.